In the first few days of December, one by one, I told my St. Louis friends and neighbors that I was headed out of town till the end of the month. Going to England for a speaking event, followed by extra time at home and with family, then traveling to Orlando, where Steve had a conference (the girls and I would have a pool week), followed by Christmas week in Disney World with our family, my parents, and my sister's family.

The head of my conversation partner would tilt.

I could see the "You?! Disney?!" look go across their face.

There was the "WOW! That is so cool" that came out of their mouth, but still present was that look of confusion.

And I get it.

I am not exactly what comes to mind when someone thinks of Disney World. In fact, in many ways it kind of goes against everything I stand for. It's a giant corporation that doesn't really step up to do its part, that puts all kinds of damaging narratives into the brains of millions of children about what little girls and boys (and ultimately adults) are meant to be, that charges insane amounts of money to come to its parks.

And yet, in other ways it is me...

I was a Disney kid. I have been to Disney World 10-15 times in my life (and even more if you include Disney Land California and Paris), and I feel a deep, visceral connection to that place and many of the movies. Case in point, my favorite race photo ever.

When my sister and I rode the Little Mermaid ride for the first time last week, I cried. Just as I did when I watched the waves crash up behind Ariel in the live-action movie a few years ago. That movie, as bad as the narrative is, has had a deep impact on my life and I am forever emotionally tied to it.

While there are some horrifically problematic parts of their older movies, they have worked to do better in recent years, and I connect deeply with those movies too. I talk to my girls often about why Raya, Mirabel, Asha, Ethan Clade, Gramma Tala, and of course, Moana, are my favorite characters because they are brave, curious, and true to who they are.

I still get chills every time a Disney movie starts and they show the castle.

So yeah, I guess in some ways, I am still a Disney kid, a Disney adult.

This was a trip we had talked about since my sister, Jess, first became pregnant in 2016, when we would someday take our kids to Disney World and show them the magic that we had experienced as children.

Early this year, we decided this was the time. Two four-year-olds, a six and a seven-year-old, along with career schedules for all the adults to allow it, 2024 was gonna be it.

But as the days drew closer, I became apprehensive.

A group of ten is hard to organize at the best of times, let alone during the busiest week of the year.

Four young children being pushed to their limits of yes, fun, but also overstimulation, it was gonna ask a lot of them...and us.

And yes, my environmental side. Would I be able to handle Disney World, a place known for mass consumption and spending? It had been four years since I last went, but ultimately, it was still Disney World; that part would still be there.

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On December 21, we drove through the giant arch that marks entry to the resort and states, "The Most Magical Place On Earth."

I don't know how I did it, but in that moment, I left the emotional part of my environmentalism there. I let go of any expectations of Disney World and what it would be. I preemptively forgave myself for any choices I made or waste I created. I would still do my best, but I wouldn't allow it to overtake me as it typically does.

And so we spent a week in Disney World, and for the most part, I loved it.

I loved seeing my girls' faces light up in wonder. I loved the emotional connection my sister and I had in moments when it hit something deep in our hearts and we both felt this warm glowey love. I loved seeing my parents go on rides with our kids and experience pure joy themselves. I loved seeing Steve's childlike smile on the rollercoaster photos (I am not a rollercoaster person!). And so much more. I just loved it.

I was disappointed intellectually by what I saw environmentally. I intend to share more about that another day, but the interesting thing is that emotionally, it didn't hit me. I was able to compartmentalize the two parts of what was going on.

I was able to embrace the trip for what it was.

I could use the plastic forks and knives even though I know it is really easy in 2024 to shift to compostable or wood.

I saw people purchasing stuff (let's put it that way) all day, all around me, and could let them make their choices, but stand by my own to only purchase a single photo frame for the girls' room that I filled with a photo of the ten of us.

I could detach my emotions from what would usually upset me, and store notes in my mind without them taking away from something we have planned and looked forward to for five years, and yes, put a LOT of money into.

Because, friends, ultimately, while we have our values, we have other things that matter to us. If we go through the world looking for the negatives, looking for the things to criticize, in many ways, the sacrifices that have been made for that item, for that moment, were in vain.

If I couldn't enjoy this moment, then all that money was wasted; all the natural resources that were harmed to make those rides, the "food" (some of it was questionable!) I was eating, the time I was spending with the people I love most in the world, was for nothing.

It doesn't mean I am not gonna push for better, or that I just let everything go. But I knew I wanted to celebrate that moment, and celebrate it I did.

I am not sure if I will go back to Disney World again; I felt in some ways like this was my goodbye to it, but I am so happy I was able to hold two things in my heart. I care about the way we are treating our planet deeply, and like those characters I admire, I will fight for what is right...but I am also a human with people I love who wants experiences that are meaningful to us and that I will cherish.

I didn't walk away with bags full of merchandise; what I did walk away with was bags and bags worth of memories, and I will cherish those.

I deleted my social media in early December, it felt goooooooooooddd, and honestly, I didn't want to re-add it yesterday, and yet, it is a part of my work life, a part that I enjoy the creative aspect of, so I did have to download.

For the month of January, I would love if you would join me for a challenge. I don't have a name for it (suggestions welcome, reply back to this email!), but I will be doing the following every day in January:

1. Hugging one tree, on my run, or otherwise
2. Picking up two pieces of trash
3. Taking three deep breaths

Ooooh, could it be the 1, 2, 3 challenge? That just came to me as I wrote it.

I will be sharing about this on my Instagram and Facebook, and would love to have you join me. This is not meant to be a perfect challenge. So many things out there are like, MISS ONE DAY AND YOU ARE OUUUTTTT. DO NOT START OFF THE NEW YEAR AS A FAILURE!!!!!

Nope.

That is not this challenge.

You can pick up 20 pieces of trash one day to go on a true plog, and hug only six trees in the entire month. This is meant to be something that you have the permission to not be perfect at. I just wanted to do something that was about giving back to nature, to our community, and to ourselves. Something that makes us feel good about ourselves, not like we are failing at life. Especially if you think the month of January might be a tough one.

Tree hugging is magic, seriously. Give it a try; you will be surprised by the playful giggle that tries to escape your mouth as you do; it is special.

Be sure to tag me in any photos and share that you are joining me in this; the people who love and care about you might appreciate this opportunity for a bit more love and connection too. My Instagram is here, Facebook is here, and Strava is here.​

It's a good place when all you have is hope and not expectations.

-Danny Boyle

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Thanks to our partner, Runna

Runna was recently one of three GLOBAL finalists for the 2024 iPhone App of the Year; if that doesn't tell you how good this app is, I don't know what will. If you are looking for something to shake up your running, kick start your running (yes, that is okay too!), or be a part of a community (beyond the hugging trees community, of course!), Runna is a great way to do that.

You will get a plan made truly for you, and a free two weeks to test it out, as a friend of mine. It will adapt your training to your results, so you can trust it is made just for you. Plus, it has everything in one place: your running plan, including warmups and cooldowns for each session; community; strength training; mobility; and even Pilates.

Can't wait to see you on there!

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Be kind to one another, yourself, and this beautiful planet of ours.

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